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This was one of J. Michael Straczynski's first forays into the world of comics which were written fairly early
in the series (between seasons two and three). They were meant to tie in the series
and the books together but without needing prior knowledge of either to enjoy the comics. In
fact, it was originally intended to be a 24-issue series but only eleven got published before
running into various problems (communication, drawings, creative differences, etc.) which made
the series less than perfect.
Many issues are worth tracking down and I will try to indicate which comics are worthwhile. It is
getting hard to find these issues so if none of the internet retailers have them, try
eBay. For more information on any of
these comics (and any spoilers) be sure to visit the Lurker's Guide about B5 Comics.
NOTE: Comics are listed by issue number from oldest to
newest.
#1: In Darkness Find Me
Author: J. Michael Straczynski --
Published: Jan 1995 --
Format: Single Comic
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DESCRIPTION:
Commander Sinclair is recalled to Earth and discovers a long-kept secret that leads to
a new assignment.
JMS AT GENIE SAID:
APR.15.1995 About the new paper and price...I did the first issue, and while the
pencils were quite good, and the inks okay, when they put the coloring in the paper just
absorbed the hell out of it and it looked like crap, from my POV. [...] Parts were nice, but
other parts...yikes.
DEC.10.1994 It's not supposed to be a blasted landscape around Geneva, and didn't
look like that in the pencils.
SEP.12.1994 By the "flip side" of stories I was referring to the other side of
events. I.e., in episode one, Sinclair is reassigned, but we hear about this mainly when
he's away. In the comic, we'll see where he is, and see his reaction to what's going on.
In B-squared, we saw the present events in the vanishment of B4; in a future episode, we'll
actually see our characters make the decision to go back in time and yank B4 forward, what
went wrong, and so on.
JUN.28.1994 The first issue of the B5 comic, which I've written, is entitled "In
Darkness Find Me," which is the flip-side of incidents that take place in the first episode
of year one. And there's a smidge of information contained in the book that's *not* in the
episode. I think the script came out pretty well. I've also written brief outlines for two
subsequent four-issue cycles, which are now being assigned to other writers for expansion
into full outlines and scripts.
MAY.10.1994 I'll probably be writing the first issue, which will tie into the
first episode of Year Two of B5. What's neat is that in the premiere of season two, you'll
see a story that references something that happens somewhere else. The comic will *show*
that something else. You can watch and enjoy the show just fine without it, but reading the
book will show you, for lack of a better term, the other side of the story.
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#2: Treason
Author: Moretti, Straczynski --
Published: Feb 1995 --
Format: Single Comic
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DESCRIPTION:
Ambassador Sinclair arrives on Minbar, just in time to see a new Minbari leader sworn in...
and a conspiracy plot unfold.
JMS AT GENIE SAID:
SEP.15.1994 Sinclair is also a strong character throughout issues 2-5 of the B5
comic.
AUG.17.1994 The artists will change with each 4-issue cycle; initially, they're
using Michael Netzer and Rob Leigh. The first issue is a JMS script; 2-4 is a JMS premise
translated into script by Mark Moretti.
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#3: In Harm's Way
Author: Moretti, Straczynski --
Published: Mar 1995 --
Format: Single Comic
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DESCRIPTION:
As Sinclair's trial begins, Sheridan and his crew race to unravel the mystery of the
Chiyoda-Ku.
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#4: Price of Peace
Author: Moretti, Straczynski --
Published: Apr 1995 --
Format: Single Comic
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DESCRIPTION:
Colby makes a last desperate break for freedom, as Sinclair's problems reach a climactic
finish on Minbar.
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#5: With Friends Like These
Author: DeHaas, Straczynski --
Published: Jun 1995 --
Format: Single Comic
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DESCRIPTION:
Security Chief Garibaldi and hotshot pilot Warren Keffer plunge into deep space, following a
cryptic clue that may explain why an alien outpost was wiped out. Ambushed and forced to crash
land on a remote planet, Garibaldi recalls his first meeting with Babylon 5's former
commander, Jeffrey Sinclair.
ADDITIONAL INFO:
This issue marks the beginning of the "Shadows Past and Present" storyline.
JMS AT GENIE SAID:
APR.12.1995 I have to say I'm very pleased with issue #5. It came out very well,
and nicely captures both the look, feel and dialogue of the show. There were some bumps along
the way in issues 2-4, so I didn't say much, but THIS one I can highly recommend.
APR.15.1995 I felt, strongly, that we needed a better quality of paper, otherwise
a lot of the good work that was being done was going to be lost. It would cost more, but
finally DC [...] decided to go with the better quality paper. The main question was whether
or not there was enough of a reader base to warrant it; there was, and they did. I've overall
been quite happy with how the book is being handled.
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#6: Against the Odds
Author: DeHaas, Stracznski --
Published: Jul 1995 --
Format: Single Comic
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DESCRIPTION:
Garibaldi experiences an alien encounter chillingly similar to what he went through years ago
on Mars, when he first met former Babylon 5 commander Jeffrey Sinclair.
JMS AT GENIE SAID:
OCT.19.1994 Issues 6-9 of the B5 comic from DC will focus on how Sinclair and
Garibaldi met and formed their friendship. (This is based on a premise from me, so it's
canon.)
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